An advisory council comprising top Vietnamese and international experts has been formed to guide the development of Vietnam’s international financial center in Da Nang. The initiative marks a significant step in the city's strategic vision to become a key player in global finance.

Nguyen Minh Triet, Chairman of Da Nang’s People’s Committee, officially signed the decision to establish the council. The 17-member council brings together leading figures from government, banking, academia, and the private sector.

Tran Dinh Thien, a member of the Prime Minister's Policy Advisory Council and former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, has been appointed Chairman of the advisory board. Richard Dean McClellan, former Country Director of the Tony Blair Institute in Vietnam, will serve as Vice Chairman.

The council includes representatives from the State Bank of Vietnam, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Finance. Industry leaders from top Vietnamese corporations such as FPT Group, CMC, and BKAV are also represented.

Da Nang has already developed foundational infrastructure to support the international financial center’s construction and operations.

The advisory council features international experts from Switzerland, Germany, Singapore, and the UAE. Notable members include Babak Dastmaltschi, former Chairman of Credit Suisse and former Vice President of UBS Zurich; Jochen Biedermann, CEO of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers; and Ali Ijaz Ahmad, Chairman of Makara Capital and the Makara Innovation Fund.

Their presence is expected to provide global best practices and drive innovation in Vietnam’s financial transformation.

The council’s mission is to study, advise, and recommend strategies to Da Nang's leadership and the preparatory committee overseeing the financial center.

It will assist in proposing long-term development strategies, management models, organizational structures, and regulatory mechanisms. Another major focus is designing initiatives to attract strategic investors and financial institutions while fostering high-quality financial talent.

The international financial center in Da Nang is expected to specialize in areas such as green finance, trade finance for small and medium enterprises, and innovation-driven businesses.

Controlled pilot programs may explore emerging models such as digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and digital payment systems. The center aims to attract venture capital, remittance funds, and small-to-medium-sized asset management firms.

It also seeks to promote the growth of startups offering financial solutions tailored to consumer needs, tourism, commerce, and logistics sectors.

PV